"I want to break the engagement."

After Hui Yin had said that to the two Lu elders, both of their teacups had fallen to the floor.

Of course, Lu Yongzheng and Madam Lu wanted nothing more than for this lowly actress to stay far away from their son.

Planning to have a slice of Lu Shen's enormous fortune?

Hmph! Let's see if you can even get a single yuan!

But they didn't expect that this lowly actress would be the one to suggest breaking the engagement first.

Both of them had seen the news and the scandal that accompanied it. They were happy that Lu Shen felt something more for Nian Zhen, but they were also afraid what this scandal might do to their reputation.

Lu Yongzheng had already cooperated with the Nians and sent their people to take down the scandalous photo from the internet.

"Are you breaking it because Lu Shen had cheated on you?" Lu Yongzheng was full of contempt as he looked at Hui Yin.

"Well, what did you expect? That he would settle for pig swill? Take a look at yourself and where you belong. Each kettle has its own lid, and it's obvious that the two of you belong in two different worlds."

Hui Yin smiled, unperturbed by the insult.

"I'm happy to hear that. Since we belong to two different worlds, I'm sure you'll have no problem accepting my request."

Madam Lu laughed, but her laughter had an edge to it, like a sharp blade.

"Who do you think you are? 'Accept your request'? We were planning to break the engagement even without your 'request.' Did you really think that Lu Shen was going to marry you?"

He did marry me, Hui Yin thought, sighing. You two should have tried harder.

"Then I guess the engagement is officially over," she said calmly.

Hui Yin leaned over and put her engagement ring at the center of the table. It lay there, sparkling and abandoned. Judging by the glint of greed on the eyes of the two elders, the ring was probably more expensive than she thought.

Hui Yin hadn't asked Lu Shen, and he didn't bother to advertise its worth to her either. Hui Yin had never thought of Lu Shen as a price tag, regardless what his parents thought of her intentions.

She had fallen in love with him when he was a penniless beggar on the side of the road, and in her past life she had loved him still even when she didn't gain any benefits from it.

Hui Yin watched with disdain when Madam Lu quickly took the ring, as if she was afraid that Hui Yin would change her mind.

Having a son like Lu Shen was truly tragic for the two Lu elders. His wealth would only drive their greed to become bigger and bigger, until it ultimately swallows them whole.

Hui Yin didn't say anything more and stood up. They hadn't offered her tea, and similarly, Hui Yin didn't bring a gift with her visit. Since they openly disliked each other, it was better to get rid of the unnecessary pleasantries.

Hui Yin smiled charmingly.

"I suppose we won't be seeing each other then."

Madam Lu glared at her, but Lu Yongzheng didn't even put her in his eyes as his attention returned back to his tea.

"We won't," Madam Lu said coldly. "And you better make sure not to approach our son again."

Hui Yin shrugged, then left.

There was no chance of that.

On that very same afternoon, Zhong Jun Qi, the affluent business man who was supposed to sign a major business deal with the Lu Corporation, unexpectedly repudiated on their contract. The deal was called off, causing a small blow to the two companies. It was supposed to be an important partnership that could benefit both of them, but Zhong Jun Qi remained steadfast in his decision.

Later, it was found out that Zhong Jun Qi greatly abhorred adultery.

He was a loyal and kind man, which was rare for a businessman with his prestige. He loved his wife and their children, and never kept a mistress despite the many temptations surrounding him.

Unfortunately, his wife did not share the same principles.

Zhong Jun Qi caught his wife sneaking around with her lover, which became his worst trauma. He never recovered from her betrayal, and all of his close friends knew better than to mention her name in his hearing.

Although Lu Shen hadn't married his fiancée yet, the sin was still there. It was best to call a spade a spade, and duly acknowledge that if CEO Lu had dared to cheat on his fiancée while they were engaged, there were no doubts that he would have done it still even after the two of them were married.

Great communication and respect were the cornerstone of any good business relationship. Sharing similar values was paramount to the long term success of a deal, especially since creating an open and honest dialogue will play a big part in continuously improving a product or service over time.

Thus, Zhong Jun Qi was not only acting on impulse and prejudice. It was a perfectly valid reason to refuse the previous agreement of the two companies.

When this piece of information spread over the internet, the corners of Hui Yin's lips hooked up. She had mentioned Zhong Jun Qi before to Lu Shen while they were having lunch, but that man had not paid attention.

"Mr. Zhong, you truly are a great man," she murmured, sighing softly. Her phone rang in her bag, and Hui Yin pulled it out.

Without looking at it, she pressed the end call button. It was the thirteenth call she had received that day.

And all of it had gone straight to voicemail.